Outdoor Security Camera system.

[Yamaheart]

Any one knows any deal on a good budget camera system? Thanks.

 

[itschris]

Any one knows any deal on a good budget camera system? Thanks.

I've looked into this a bit lately. It seems for about $750-ish, you can get a good 4 camera system (wired system) with a 4 channel pc card.

From what I can tell so far, and it may change as I figure more stuff out, that configuration is the best... maximizing camera quality (including night vision), record time and viewing options.

 

[highfigh]

Any one knows any deal on a good budget camera system? Thanks.

Good and budget don't work in this area. One of the best cameras I have seen for the price is Digital Watchdog- they often use Starlight (no need for IR emitters) and the video quality is really good. They also have a joystick for their icon driven setup instead of 4 or 6 DIP switches and that makes it much easier.

How much storage time do you need? Do you need to access the video from another location, online? Your requirements need to be listed in order to make a recommendation.

 

[krzywica]

Good and budget don't work in this area. One of the best cameras I have seen for the price is Digital Watchdog- they often use Starlight (no need for IR emitters) and the video quality is really good. They also have a joystick for their icon driven setup instead of 4 or 6 DIP switches and that makes it much easier.

How much storage time do you need? Do you need to access the video from another location, online? Your requirements need to be listed in order to make a recommendation.

Yes highfigh poses some very good questions. Will you be needing those videos of your neighbor streamed to the web in real time or are you planning on posting them after the fact? These are important things to consider.

 

[Yamaheart]

Good and budget don't work in this area. One of the best cameras I have seen for the price is Digital Watchdog- they often use Starlight (no need for IR emitters) and the video quality is really good. They also have a joystick for their icon driven setup instead of 4 or 6 DIP switches and that makes it much easier.

How much storage time do you need? Do you need to access the video from another location, online? Your requirements need to be listed in order to make a recommendation.

Thanks, access from another location is optional right now. As long as I can record and keep for a week as anything I can use the videos as evidence. Something with good night vision and picture quality is a must... I was looking for a system with 4 cameras.

 

[highfigh]

Thanks, access from another location is optional right now. As long as I can record and keep for a week as anything I can use the videos as evidence. Something with good night vision and picture quality is a must... I was looking for a system with 4 cameras.

How long you can keep it depends on recording quality, hard drive size and the number of cameras. The new DVRs use H.264 recording, which uses the hard drive space about 25% more efficiently.

I was doing a camera/DVR job last year and it was the first one on my own where I spec'd everything and did the whole job. I had installed cameras before but didn't know as much about what makes a good camera or DVR and how to set them up effectively. It was a very steep learning curve but it's not rocket surgery.

Use 24VAC cameras- DC power supply suffers from voltage drop more than AC supplies and since many of the camera power supplies output 24VAC, you would need an AC-DC adapter, which drops the voltage to 12VDC. On long cable runs, it causes the voltage drop and if P=IE, I must increase if P is to remain constant and E decreases. This causes the cameras to run hot and fail.

Look for cameras that have an internal heater to fight condensation if you're in a cold place.

Most new DVRs are capable of what's called 'Pentaplex' or 'Triplex'. This means they don't disrupt the recording when you view the recorded video or stream it online.

Oh, yeah- find out if the online seller is authorized by the manufacturer to sell online. Most aren't and the company usually won't honor the warranty because of this.

 

[Yamaheart]

How long you can keep it depends on recording quality, hard drive size and the number of cameras. The new DVRs use H.264 recording, which uses the hard drive space about 25% more efficiently.

I was doing a camera/DVR job last year and it was the first one on my own where I spec'd everything and did the whole job. I had installed cameras before but didn't know as much about what makes a good camera or DVR and how to set them up effectively. It was a very steep learning curve but it's not rocket surgery.

Use 24VAC cameras- DC power supply suffers from voltage drop more than AC supplies and since many of the camera power supplies output 24VAC, you would need an AC-DC adapter, which drops the voltage to 12VDC. On long cable runs, it causes the voltage drop and if P=IE, I must increase if P is to remain constant and E decreases. This causes the cameras to run hot and fail.

Look for cameras that have an internal heater to fight condensation if you're in a cold place.

Most new DVRs are capable of what's called 'Pentaplex' or 'Triplex'. This means they don't disrupt the recording when you view the recorded video or stream it online.

Oh, yeah- find out if the online seller is authorized by the manufacturer to sell online. Most aren't and the company usually won't honor the warranty because of this.

What are the rules/law when pointing the Camera to the street, in front, back and the side of your house. Can the neighbor's roof be seen in the camera or anything at all? Thanks.

 

[gkaste]

I have also been looking for an outdoor secutiy camera, one that works good in the dark, and has internet capabilities. As well as low cost, of course. I found this, will probably give it a try


http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Windows-compatible-Installation-Included/dp/B0030FR08W/ref=pd_ybh_7?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1PRMT3MV1CV0YH15A7T5

 

[highfigh]

What are the rules/law when pointing the Camera to the street, in front, back and the side of your house. Can the neighbor's roof be seen in the camera or anything at all? Thanks.

The street is fair game- neighbor's house isn't. They have the right to expect a certain amount of privacy. Some cameras, like the Digital Watchdog model I'm using now, have a privacy setting that allows adjustment of the blocked area of the lens, for bathroom/bedroom windows, etc. This one also has the ability to mask an area that produces too much light to allow the rest of the viewing area to be useful, like when other cameras are pointed at a bright light and the shutter stops down for proper exposure- the rest is far too dark.

 

[highfigh]

I have also been looking for an outdoor secutiy camera, one that works good in the dark, and has internet capabilities. As well as low cost, of course. I found this, will probably give it a try


http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Windows-compatible-Installation-Included/dp/B0030FR08W/ref=pd_ybh_7?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1PRMT3MV1CV0YH15A7T5

Remember- the CCD is what makes a camera good or bad, The rest is pretty much boiler plate- similar from band to brand. If the CCD isn't as good as a slightly more expensive model, the video quality will be really bad.

 

[itschris]

Remember- the CCD is what makes a camera good or bad, The rest is pretty much boiler plate- similar from band to brand. If the CCD isn't as good as a slightly more expensive model, the video quality will be really bad.

Can you explain that a little? What it is and what good vs bad ccd.

 

[highfigh]

Can you explain that a little? What it is and what good vs bad ccd.

CCD is Charge Coupled Device- it's what changes the image into electronic signal and if it's not good, ....

Digital cameras are digital cameras in the sense that, if the CCD sucks, it's no good and good CCDs are more expensive. That's why I wouldn't expect miracles from inexpensive cameras.

 

[gkaste]

In my case, if it dosent do certain features like work well at night, have internet access (pref. without a monthly fee), be weatherproof, etc. then it dosent matter what kind of CCD it has, because that CCD would sit useless.

 

[highfigh]

In my case, if it dosent do certain features like work well at night, have internet access (pref. without a monthly fee), be weatherproof, etc. then it dosent matter what kind of CCD it has, because that CCD would sit useless.

Unless it's a network camera, it doesn't determine internet access. Many of the DVRs have the network card built in and with a bit of setup, you can view the cameras at the location via network or composite video, on the TVs. Digimerge and Digital Watchdog are the 2 brands I have used so far and both come with software that allows remote access. You need to work with the internet router firewall settings for this but the DVR manufacturer can assist if you need help. There's no fee for this access.

 

[gkaste]

Thanks, but I am not really intersted in setting up a DVR. Just need an internet connected camera.

 

[tcarcio]

I bought some lighting control from these people and it has worked as described with no problems. You could check them out and see what they look like for video...www.x10.com

 

[highfigh]

Thanks, but I am not really intersted in setting up a DVR. Just need an internet connected camera.

Remember- any device like a camera eats up a whole lot of bandwidth and if they're all active, it slows the data stream. Also, seeing the event is one thing but unless you have recording software, it doesn't do much good.

 

[gkaste]

My internet is great.

 

[highfigh]

My internet is great.

OK, so how will you be recording the video?

 

[gkaste]

I won't be recording video.